Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Trailing View
,
596-0440) and one that's open all year (
Shining
Sails
,
596-0041). No camping is permitted.
Mount Megunticook, Camden
. The trail that traverses the wooded
ridge of Mount Megunticook in Camden Hills State Park offers the best
views of the entire surrounding area. The trail begins in the park's camp-
ground off US 1 in Camden. The path steeply ascends the east end of the
mountain, rising 900 feet and crossing the tableland area at about 1,385
feet. After one mile it comes to the Ocean Lookout, which looks down on
Penobscot Bay and nearby Mount Battie with its stone tower. You can
make a loop by taking the Tablelands Trail down towards Mount Battie
and turning left onto the Mount Battie Trail to return to the campground.
Or, you can continue west, descending gradually to the Maiden Cliffs
Loop Trail, which overlooks Megunticook Lake. It is nearly five miles
from the campground to the Cliffs, so you may want to park a car on the
Maiden Cliffs Trail parking area or plan on having a long day. There is no
reliable water. Moderate to strenuous.
Mount Battie, Camden
. Most people drive the auto road to the top of
Mount Battie, with its stone tower overlooking Camden Harbor and
Penobscot Bay. But some purists insist on hiking. Like Cadillac Moun-
tain to the east in Acadia National Park, the reward of sweating it out to
the top seems somehow diminished when you find idling recreational ve-
hicles and crowds from tour buses at a summit.
The Mount Battie Trail leaves from the campground access road in Cam-
den Hills State Park and roughly parallels the auto road to the col be-
tween Mount Battie and Mount Megunticook. At the intersection with
the Tablelands Trail turn left, cross the auto road, and quickly reach the
summit with its great views of the nearby mountains and countryside.
Retrace your steps to return. The total distance is about 1.25 miles, one
way. Elevation gain of 550 feet. Moderate to strenuous.
Rockland Breakwater
. A walk on the massive stones that form this
breakwater looks deceptively easy from the starting point off the Shore
Access Road.
It is a long mile to the lighthouse on the end and the weather can change
quickly. Still, if you don't mind slippery rocks and the occasional cre-
vasse, you'll be rewarded with good views of the harbor as well as lobster
boats, ferries and sailboats going about their business in Penobscot Bay.
This is an excellent outing. Seals, porpoises and seabirds can also be ob-
served. The breakwater, which is a popular fishing spot, was built in the
late 1800s. Easy to moderate.
